Expectations were much higher for the Calgary Flames than a fourth-straight first-round exit from the playoffs.

Nearly a month removed from that disappointing ending, head coach Mike Keenan paid for it with his job.

"Our team did not meet expectations," Flames GM Darryl Sutter said in a statement yesterday. "Following detailed evaluation over the past three weeks, and taking into consideration all factors affecting our season-ending result, we believe this is a necessary change required to allow our team to continue toward our objective of winning the Stanley Cup."

Sutter will address the media Tuesday. Keenan is also expected to make public statements next week.

At least one Flames player openly agrees with Sutter's decision.

Alternate captain Robyn Regehr says firing Keenan - who will still have to be paid for the final season remaining on his three-year agreement with the Flames - was the right move.

"I think it's a very good thing for the team," said Regehr. "I think we will become a better team with this decision made. It's just my feeling."

Sutter guided the Flames to the Stanley Cup final in 2004. Since then, they've failed to get past the opening round of the post-season. Three head coaches have tried - Sutter, Jim Playfair, and Keenan.

"Probably the biggest issue we're dealing with right now is philosophies," said Regehr. "(Keenan's) a coach who had most of his success in the 80s when the strategy was so much different. I think a lot of coaches from that time, the game has sort of moved past them.

"I think that was holding us back as a team."

Offensively, their numbers are annually on the rise. Defensively, however, they've plummeted from the top of the league in limiting goals against in 2005-06 to 23rd overall this season.

Regehr wants to see that addressed by the new bench boss, and his assistants. With their contracts set to expire at the end of June, the remaining coaches "remain subject to further review and evaluation," according to the statement.

Many fans and members of the media expected Keenan to be sent packing. Winger Craig Conroy said just a few days ago, however, he believed Keenan would be coming back.

"I never know what's going on, that's why I just play," Conroy said with a laugh yesterday.

"I thought Mike was going to be here."

Enjoying his former boss as a coach and a person, the winger says he feels bad for Keenan but figures he will take the news well coming from Sutter, who has had a longtime friendship with Keenan stemming back to their days working together with the Blackhawks.

"They're similar personalities," said Conroy. "They can accept things. I bet Mike was upset, but I'm sure he understands."